Mighty mite Moss has future in NFL

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April 19, 2006|RICK GOSSELIN The Dallas Morning News

There's a spot in the NFL for Sinorice Moss -- and he can thank his brother Santana. And Steve Smith. The NFL has become the land of the giants at wide receiver. Braylon Edwards (Cleveland), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona), Andre Johnson (Houston), Charles Rogers (Detroit), Mike Williams (Detroit), Reggie Williams (Jacksonville) and Roy Williams (Detroit) all stand 6-3 or taller, and all were chosen in the top 10 of the last three drafts. Everyone wants to get bigger on the flank. But the two most productive receivers in the NFL last season were 5-9 Smith and 5-10 Santana Moss, who ranked 1-2 in the league in receiving yards. Smith gained 1,563 yards and Moss 1,483. Smith also shared the league lead with 12 touchdowns. "Watching my brother and Steve Smith last year opened a lot of coaching eyes," Sinorice Moss said. "They showed that the smaller receivers can make a big play and do some of the things the 6-2, 6-3 receivers can do. In the past, everyone wanted a big receiver. But small receivers can get the job done also." That gives Sinorice hope. He's trying to sneak into the first round himself, but his size is definitely working against him. At 5-8, he's tiny by NFL standards. But he was small by college standards as well and still produced at the NCAA's highest level, catching 68 career passes for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns. What he lacks in size he makes up for with 4.38-second speed over 40 yards. The top 15Reading defensesSecond go-roundGetting a jumpBorn leaderQuick takeStreakingThe best